City of Rockport

The meeting included a prayer followed by a discussion regarding leak adjustments attributed to freezing temperatures, with approximately 106 cases noted. The board considered approving pay application number 16 for Division A of the Broad Temple project from Commonwealth Engineers, covering the period of December 26, 2025, to January 25, 2026. Another key item involved a task order for Commonwealth Engineers for a preliminary engineering report concerning lead service line replacements, phase two, necessary for a grant application due April 1st. Discussions also covered tree removal on city easements, with a survey company hired to mark boundaries, and efforts to address the Huffman ditch backup between Base Road and Highway 66. Furthermore, updates were provided on the extensive renovations at the community building, including demolition of the cathedral ceiling, bathrooms, and kitchen, with Gudorf handling the work. The board also discussed approving the annual EVAR service contract for generator maintenance and presenting options for purchasing new toilets and a water softener for city hall due to ongoing issues.

The discussion primarily focused on the spending plan for 2026, specifically addressing the allocation of the entire fund balance. A decision was made to place the entire balance into a grants and loans category for 2026, which allows for future amendments. The body confirmed that the spending plan was reviewed by all members and prepared for presentation to the common council at their final meeting of the month. A formal motion was made and passed to approve the 2026 spending plan.

The primary discussion involved the approval of minutes from previous meetings, specifically those from November and December. Key business centered on finalizing the rollout plan for grants, including application documents and related press releases and talking points. The Commission discussed funding the Matt Harvey building purchase, determining that grant money must come from the Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) fund rather than TIF dollars, as the property is not in the TIF district. Further discussion addressed the formation of a subcommittee to collaborate with the Historic Preservation Board regarding blighted buildings, focusing efforts on empty structures. The establishment of regular annual meetings and the selection of officers for the year were also noted as necessary agenda items.

The meeting included discussions regarding adjustments, and the approval of prior meeting minutes from December 11th. Key project updates focused on the wastewater treatment plant construction, specifically Pay Application Number 15, which brings the project to 90% completion. A significant delay was noted due to a mixing pump manufacturer issue, pushing back the startup timeline until April. The financing structure involving an anticipation note maturing in September was discussed in relation to closing on the long-term loan. Division B for the collection system work was advertised, with a pre-bid meeting scheduled for January 20th and the bid opening planned for the February 12th regular council meeting. An update was provided on the lead service line replacement project, which utilizes a $1 million grant for investigating service lines from the water main to the house, requiring homeowner outreach for access. The project timeline requires bidding in March. Finally, the board discussed replacing a 55-year-old garage door opener, reviewing three quotes and suggesting sending the middle quote (Quote B) to council for approval, noting funds are available from a community foundation donation. The board also discussed purchasing five new rifles for the department using police community foundation funds to ensure equipment standardization.

The discussion primarily revolved around maintenance and capital improvement proposals for park facilities. Key topics included reviewing weekly quotes for ongoing maintenance tasks such as mowing, weed eating, and spraying mulch areas, including scheduling adjustments around specific events like "Freedom on the Rock." There was a discussion about potential equipment purchases, including new picnic tables for the pool area, a new music system, life preserver replacements, and installing a security camera near the pickleball courts to cover adjacent fields. The board decided to table the decision on maintenance quotes until the next meeting to allow closer review and comparison against the budget. Progress updates were provided on the second phase of construction at the community building, involving bathroom renovations for ADA compliance, ceiling replacement, and lighting upgrades.